UNTO THE CORINTHIANS I
[1] PAUL, a called apostle of Jesus Christ through God's will, and Sōsthenēs the brother, [2] to the church of :God which is at Corinth, even those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all that call upon the name of our :Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord and ours: [3] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[4] I thank :God always concerning you, for the grace of :God :given you in Christ Jesus; [5] that in everything ye were enriched in him, in all utterance1 and all knowledge; [6] even as the testimony of the Christ was confirmed in you: [7] so that ye are behind in no gift; awaiting the revelation of our :Lord Jesus Christ; [8] who shall also confirm you unto the end unreprovable in the day of our :Lord Jesus Christ. [9] Faithful the God, through whom ye were called into the fellowship of his :Son Jesus Christ our :Lord.
[10] Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our :Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same, and that there be no divisions2 among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment. [11] For it hath been shown me concerning you, my brethren, by them of the household of Chloē, that contentions are among you. [12] Now this I say, that each one of you saith, I3 am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas, and I of Christ. [13] Is4 Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul? [14] I give thanks that I baptized none of you, save Crispus and Gaius; [15] lest any one say that ye were baptized into my :name. [16] And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: for the rest, I know not whether I baptized any other. [17] For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach5 the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of the Christ be made void.
[18] For the word :of the cross is to the perishing foolishness; but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
[19] For it is written,
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to nought.
[20] Where is the wise? where the scribe? where the disputer of this :age? hath not :God made foolish the wisdom of the world? [21] For seeing that in the wisdom of :God the world through :wisdom knew not :God, it was :God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preachment to save them that believe. [22] Seeing that Jews ask signs, and Greeks seek wisdom: [23] but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling-block, and to the nations foolishness; [24] but to the called themselves, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and wisdom of God. [25] Because the foolishness of :God is wiser than :men; and the weakness of :God is stronger than :men.
[26] For behold6 your :calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; [27] but :God chose the foolish things of the world, that he put to shame the wise; and :God chose the weak things of the world, that he put to shame the strong things; [28] and the ignoble things of the world, and the despised, did :God choose, yea and the things that are not, that he bring to nought those that are: [29] that no flesh should glory before :God. [30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption: [31] that, according as it is written, Who glorieth in the Lord let him glory.
[1] And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech1 or wisdom, proclaiming to you the mystery of :God. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. [3] And I2 was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. [4] And my :speech1 and my :preachment were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of Spirit and power: [5] that your :faith be not in men's wisdom, but in God's power.
[6] We speak wisdom, however, among the fullgrown:3 yet a wisdom not of this :age, nor of the rulers of this :age, who are coming to nought:
[7] but we speak God's wisdom in mystery, the hidden wisdom which God foreordained before the ages unto our glory:
[8] which none of the rulers of this :age hath known:4 for had they known4 it, they would not have crucified the Lord of :glory:
[9] but as it is written,
Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not,
And which entered not into heart of man,
Whatsoever things :God prepared for them that love him.
[10] For to us :God revealed through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the depths of :God. [11] For who among men knoweth the things of the man, save the spirit of the man :in him? even so the things of :God none knoweth, save the Spirit of :God. [12] But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from :God; that we might know5 the things :freely given to us of :God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; interpreting6 spiritual things to spiritual men. [14] Now man natural7 receiveth not the things of the Spirit of :God: for they are foolishness to him;8 and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.9 [15] But man :spiritual judgeth10 all things, and himself is judged9 of none. [16] For who hath known the Lord's mind, that he should instruct him? But we have Christ's mind.
[1] And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
[2] I fed1 you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it.
Nay, even now are ye yet unable;
[3] for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and walk ye not after the manner of man?
[4] For when one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I, of Apollos; are ye not men?
[5] What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed, and as the Lord gave to each.
[6] I planted, Apollos watered; but :God gave2 increase.
[7] So then neither is he aught that planteth, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth1 increase.
[8] Now who planteth and who watereth are one: but each shall receive his own :reward according to his own :toil.
[9] For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry,3 God's building.
[10] According to the grace of :God :given me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon. [11] For other foundation can no one lay than what is laid,4 who is Jesus Christ. [12] But if any buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay,5 stubble; [13] each man's :work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is being revealed in fire; and6 the fire itself shall prove each man's :work of what sort it is. [14] If any one's :work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive reward. [15] If any one's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.
[16] Know ye not that ye are God's temple,7 and that the Spirit of :God dwelleth in8 you? [17] If any destroyeth9 the temple7 of :God, him shall :God destroy9 for the temple7 of God is holy, and10 such are ye.
[18] Let no one deceive himself. If any one thinketh he is wise among you in this :age, let him become a fool, that he become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this :world is foolishness with :God. For it is written, Who taketh the wise in their :craftiness: [20] and again, The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain. [21] Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours; [22] whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or world, or life, or death, or things present, or coming; all are yours; [23] and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
[1] Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of God's mysteries. [2] Here, moreover, it is required in :stewards, that one be found faithful. [3] But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged1 of you, or of man's judgment:2 yea, I judge3 not mine own self. [4] For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but who judgeth4 me is the Lord. [5] Wherefore judge nothing before the season, until the Lord come, who will both light up the hidden things of :darkness, and manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each have the praise from :God.
[6] Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written;5 that none of you be puffed up for the one against the other. [7] For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why gloriest thou as if thou hadst not received it? [8] Already are ye filled, already ye are become rich, ye have come to reign without us: yea and I would that ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. [9l For, I think, :God hath set forth us the apostles last, as doomed to death: for we are become a spectacle unto the world, both6 to angels and men. [10] We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye strong; ye have glory, but we dishonor. [11] Even unto the present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place: [12] and we toil, working with our :own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; [13] being defamed, we beseech: we are become as filth7 of the world, offscouring of all things, even until now.
[14] I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. [15] For though ye may have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I8 begat you through the gospel. [16] I beseech you therefore, become imitators of me. [17] For this cause have I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved child and faithful in the Lord, who shall remind you of my :ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church.
[18] Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. [19] But I will come unto you speedily, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of those puffed up, but the power. [20] For the kingdom of :God is not in word, but in power. [21] What will ye? shall I come unto you with9 a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
[1] Fornication is actually1 reported among you, and such fornication as is not even among the nations, that one of you hath his :father's wife. [2] And ye2 are puffed up, and did3 not rather mourn, that who had done this deed be taken away from among you. [3] For I verily, being absent in :body but present in :spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing, [4] in the name of our :Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my :spirit, with the power of our :Lord Jesus, [5] to deliver :such a one to :Satan for destruction of the flesh, that the spirit be saved in the day of the Lord. [6] Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? [7] Purge out the old leaven, that ye be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our :passover also hath been sacrificed, Christ: [8] wherefore let us keep festival, not with old leaven, neither with leaven of malice and wickedness, but with unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
[9] I wrote you in the :epistle not to mingle with fornicators; [10] not4 at all meaning with the fornicators of this :world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world: [11] but now I write you not to mingle with, if any that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with :such a one no, not to eat. [12] For what have I to do with judging those without? Do not ye judge those within? [13] But those without :God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.
[1] Dare any of you, having a matter against the other, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? [2] Or know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is judged by1 you, are ye unworthy to2 judge the smallest matters? [3] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things pertaining to this life? [4] If then ye have to3 judge things pertaining to this life, do4 ye set them to judge who are of no account in the church? [5] I say this to move you to shame. Is it so that there is not among you one wise man who shall be able to decide between his :brethren,5 [6] but brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? [7] Nay, already it is altogether a6 defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded? [8] Nay, but ye yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. [9] Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, [10] nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of our :Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our :God.
[12] All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any. [13] :Meats for the belly, and the belly for :meats: but :God shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body: [14] and :God both raised the Lord, and will raise up us through his :power. [15] Know ye not that your :bodies are members of Christ? shall I then take away the members of the Christ, and make them members of a harlot? Be it not so. [16] Or know ye not that who is joined to the harlot is one body? for, The two, saith he, shall become one flesh. [17] But who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. [18] Flee :fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but who committeth fornication sinneth against his :own body. [19] Or know ye not that your :body is a temple7 of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; [20] for ye were bought with a price: glorify :God therefore in your :body.
[1] Now concerning whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. [2] But, because of fornications, let each have his own1 :wife, and let each have her :own1 husband. [3] Let the husband render to the wife her :due: and likewise also the wife to the husband. [4] The wife hath not power over her own :body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own :body, but the wife. [5] Defraud not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves to :prayer, and may be together again, that :Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency. [6] But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. [7] Yet I would all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each hath his :own gift from God, one this wise, and another thus wise.
[8] But I say to the unmarried and the widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. [9] But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. [10] But to the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That a wife depart not from her husband [11] (but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to the husband); and that a husband leave not his wife. [12] But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. [13] And a woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave the husband. [14] For the unbelieving :husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving :wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your :children unclean; but now are they holy. [15] Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in :such cases: but God hath called you in peace. [16] For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy :husband? or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy :wife?
[17] Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each, as :God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches. [18] Was any called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. [19] :Circumcision is nothing, and :uncircumcision is nothing; but keeping of God's commandments. [20] Let each abide in the calling wherein he was called. [21] Wast thou called being a bondman? care not for it: nay,1 even if thou canst become free, use it rather. [22] For he that was called in the Lord being a bondman, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondman. [23] Ye were bought with a price; become not bondmen of men. [24] Brethren, let each, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.
[25] Now concerning :virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord, to be faithful. [26] I think therefore that this is good because of the distress :upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to2 be as he is. [27] Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. [28] But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if the virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you. [29] But this I say, brethren, the season is shortened,3 that henceforth both those having wives may be as though not having; [30] and the weeping, as though not weeping; and the rejoicing, as though not rejoicing; and the buying, as though not possessing; [31] and those using the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion4 of this :world passeth away. [32] But I would have you to be free from cares. The unmarried careth for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: [33] but the married careth for the things of the world, how he may please his :wife, [34] and is divided. So also the unmarried :woman and the virgin careth for the things of the Lord, that she be holy both in :body and in :spirit: but the married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her :husband. [35] And this I say for your own :profit; not that I may cast a snare5 upon you, but for what :is seemly, and assiduous toward the Lord without distraction. [36] But if any thinketh he behaveth unseemly toward his :virgin, if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry. [37] But who standeth stedfast in his :heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching his own :will, and hath decided this in his own6 :heart, to keep his own6 :virgin, he shall do well. [38] So then both who giveth his own :virgin in marriage doeth well; but who giveth not in marriage shall do better.
[39] A wife is bound for so long time as her :husband liveth; but if the husband be fallen asleep, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. [40] But she is more blessed if she abide as she is, after my :judgment: for I think that I also have God's Spirit.
[1] Now concerning the things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. :Knowledge puffeth up, but :love buildeth up. [2] If any thinketh he knoweth1 anything, he knoweth1 not yet as he ought to know; [3] but if any loveth :God, the same is known by him. [4] Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one. [5] For though there be so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many; [6] yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are :all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are :all things, and we through him. [7] Howbeit there is not in all the knowledge: but some, :being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their :conscience being weak is defiled. [8] But meat will not present us to :God: neither, if we eat not, do we lack; nor, if we eat, do we abound. [9] But take heed lest by any means this :power of yours become a stumbling-block to the weak. [10] For if one see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol's temple, will not his :conscience, if he is weak, be2 emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? [11] For by thy :knowledge the weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died. [12] And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their :conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ. [13] Wherefore, if :meat causeth my :brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh unto the age, that I cause not my :brother to stumble.
[1] Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our :Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? [2] If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine :apostleship are ye in the Lord.
[3] My :defence to them that examine me is this. [4] Have we not authority to eat and to drink? [5] Have we not authority to lead about a wife that is a believer,1 even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? [6] Or I only and Barnabas, have we not authority to forbear working? [7] Who is ever a soldier at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Do I speak these things after the manner of man? or saith not the law also the same? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when threshing. Is it for the oxen God careth, [10] or saith he it altogether for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because who ploweth ought to plow in hope; and who thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking. [11] If we sowed for you :spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your :carnal things? [12] If others partake of this :authority over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless2 we did not use this :authority; but we bear3 all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of the Christ. [13] Know ye not that who minister about the holy things eat of the things of the holy place;4 they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar? [14] Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel. [15] But I5 have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than—none shall make my :glorying void. [16] For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is me, if I should preach not the gospel. [17] For if I do this of mine own will, I have reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me. [18] What then is my :reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my :authority in the gospel. [19] For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. [20] And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those under law, as under law, not being myself under law, that I might gain those under law; [21] to those without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain those without law. [22] To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to :all men, that I may by all means save some. [23] And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may become joint partaker thereof.
[24] Know ye not that they that run in a racecourse6 run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run ye that ye may apprehend. [25] And every one that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it therefore to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I accordingly so run, as not uncertainly; so fight7 I, as not beating the air: [27] but I buffet8 my :body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached9 to others, I myself should be disapproved.
[1] For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our :fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; [2] and were all baptized unto1 Moses in the cloud and in the sea; [3] and did all eat the same spiritual meat; [4] and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: now the rock was the Christ. [5] Howbeit with the greater part of them :God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
[6] Now these2 things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose to play. [8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. [9] Neither let us make severe trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. [10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer. [11] Now these things happened to them by way of figure;3 and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.
[12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. [13] No temptation hath taken you but such as man can bear:4 but :God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.
[14] Wherefore, my beloved, flee from :idolatry. [15] I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. [16] The cup of :blessing which we bless, is it not communion1 of the blood of the Christ? The bread which we break, is it not communion1 of the body of the Christ? [17] seeing2 that we, who are many, are one bread,3 one body: for we all partake of4 the one bread.3 [18] Observe :Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion1 with the altar? [19] What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? [20] But I say, that the things which the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion1 with demons. [21] Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. [22] Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
[23] All things are lawful; but not all are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all build up. [24] Let no man seek his own, but each the other's good.
[25] Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question5 for :conscience' sake; [26] for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. [27] If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast, and ye wish to go; whatsoever is :set before you, eat, asking no question5 for :conscience' sake. [28] But if any one say to you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for the sake of him that showed it, and for :conscience' sake: [29] conscience, I say, however, not :thine own, but the :other's; for why is my :liberty judged by another conscience? [30] If6 I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for what I give thanks?
[31] Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. [32] Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of :God: [33] even as I also please all in all things, not seeking mine own :profit, but that of the many, that they may be saved.
[1] Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
[2] Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you. [3] But I would have you know, that the head of every man is :Christ; and the head of woman is the man; and the head of the Christ is :God. [4] Every man praying or prophesying, with his head covered, dishonoreth his :head. [5] But every woman praying or prophesying with :head unveiled dishonoreth her :head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were :shaven. [6] For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled. [7] For a man ought not indeed to have his :head veiled, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. [8] For man is not of woman; but woman of man: [9] for neither was man created for the woman; but woman for the man: [10] for this cause ought the woman to have a sign of authority on her :head, because of the angels. [11] Nevertheless, neither is woman without man, nor man without woman in the Lord. [12] For as the woman is of the man, so is the man also by the woman; but :all things are of :God. [13] Judge ye in1 yourselves: is it seemly that a woman pray to :God unveiled? [14] Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is dishonor to him? [15] But if a woman have long hair, it is glory to her: for the hair is given her for a covering. [16] But if any seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of :God.
[17] But in giving this charge, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse. [18] For first, when ye come together in2 church, I hear that divisions3 exist among you; and I partly believe it. [19] For factions4 must be also among you, that the approved be also manifest among you. [20] When therefore ye come together in meeting,5 it is not possible to eat the Lord's supper: [21] for in your :eating each one :taketh his :own supper before; and one is hungry, and another is drunken. [22] What,6 have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of :God, and put them to shame that have nothing? What shall I say to you? shall7 I praise you? In this I praise you not. [23] For I8 received of the Lord what also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was delivered up took bread; [24] and when he gave thanks he brake it, and said, This is my :body, which is for you: this do in :remembrance of me. [25] In like manner also the cup, after :supper, saying, This :cup is the new covenant in my :blood: this do, as oft as ye drink it, in :remembrance of me. [26] For as oft as ye eat this :bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's :death till he come. [27] Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. [28] But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. [29] For who eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, if he discern9 not the body. [30] For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. [31] But if we discerned10 ourselves, we should not be judged. [32] But when judged of the Lord, we are chastened, that we be not condemned with the world. [33] So then, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, wait one for another. [34] If any is hungry, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto judgment. And the rest will I set in order whensoever I come.
[1] Now concerning the spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. [2] Ye know that when ye were nations ye were led away unto those dumb :idols, howsoever ye might be led. [3] Wherefore I make known to you, that no one speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no one can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit.
[4] Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. [6] And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh :all things in all. [7] But to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit to :profit withal. [8] For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: [9] to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; [10] and to another workings of powers; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another kinds of tongues; and to another interpretation of tongues; [11] but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each severally even as he willeth.
[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also the Christ.
[13] For in one Spirit also were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.
[14] For the body also is not one member, but many.
[15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body.
[16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body.
[17] If the whole body were eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where the smelling?
[18] But now hath :God set the members each one of them in the body even as it pleased him.
[19] And if they were all one member, where were the body?
[20] But now they are many members, but one body.
[21] And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
[22] Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary:
[23] and what parts of the body we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor; and our :uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness;
[24] whereas our comely parts have no need: but :God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked;
[25] that there be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
[26] And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or a member is glorified, all the members rejoice with it.
[27] Now ye are a body of Christ, and severally1 members thereof.
[28] And :God hath set some in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then powers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
[29] Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of powers?
[30] have all gifts of healings? speak all with tongues? do all interpret?
[31] But desire earnestly the greater :gifts.
And moreover an excellent way show I to you.
[1] If I speak with the tongues of :men and of :angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or clanging cymbal. [2] And if prophecy I have, and all mysteries I know and all knowledge; and if all faith I have, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] And if I bestow all my :goods to feed the poor, and if I give my :body that I may glory,1 but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. [4] :Love suffereth long, is kind; :love envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, [5] doth not behave unseemly, seeketh not its :own, is not provoked, taketh not account of :evil; [6] rejoiceth not in :unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; [7] covereth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. [8] :Love never faileth:2 but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether tongues, they shall cease; whether knowledge, it shall be done away. [9] For we know in part, and prophesy in part; [10] but when what is :perfect is come, what is in part shall be done away. [11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, thought as a child, reasoned as a child: when I became a man, I put away the things of the child. [12] For now we see in a mirror darkly;3 but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. [13] But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greater of these is love.
[1] Follow after :love; yet desire earnestly :spiritual gifts, but rather that ye prophesy. [2] For who speaketh in a tongue speaketh not to men, but to God; for no one understandeth;1 but in spirit he speaketh mysteries. [3] But who prophesieth speaketh unto men edification,2 and exhortation,3 and consolation. [4] Who speaketh in a tongue buildeth up himself; but who prophesieth buildeth up the church. [5] Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye prophesy: and greater he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edification.4 [6] But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching? [7] Even the things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give no distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? [8] For if also the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war? [9] So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easily understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air. [10] There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and nothing is without voice.5 [11] If then I know not the meaning6 of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and who speaketh will be a barbarian unto7 me. [12] So ye also, since ye are zealots for spirits, seek that ye may abound unto the edification of the church. [13] Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he interpret. [14] For if I pray in a tongue, my :spirit prayeth, but my :understanding is unfruitful. [15] What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. [16] Else if thou bless in the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the8 unlearned say the Amen at thy :giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest? [17] For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not built up. [18] I thank :God, I speak with tongues more than you all: [19] but in church I would rather speak five words with my :understanding that, I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
[20] Brethren, be not children in your :minds, but in :malice be ye babes; in your :minds however be full-grown.1 [21] In the law it is written, that By strange-tongued and by lips of strangers will I speak to this :people; and not even thus will they hearken to me, saith the Lord. [22] So then :tongues are for a sign, not to the believing, but to the unbelieving: but prophecy is not to the unbelieving, but to the believing. [23] If therefore the whole church come together in meeting2 and all should speak with tongues, and men ungifted3 or unbelieving come in, will they not say that ye are mad? [24] But if all prophesy, and one unbelieving or ungifted3 come in, he is reproved4 by all, judged by all; [25] the secrets of his :heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship :God, declaring that :God is among5 you indeed.
[26] What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. [27] If any speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: [28] but if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in church; and let him speak to himself, and to :God. [29] And let prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.6 [30] But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first be silent. [31] For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted; [32] and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; [33] for :God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
[34] Let the women be silent in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law. [35] And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is a shame for a woman to speak in church. [36] What? was7 it from you that the word of :God went forth? or came it unto you alone?
[37] If any thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of what things I write you, that it is a commandment of the Lord. [38] But if any knoweth not, he is not known.
[39] So then, my brethren, desire earnestly to8 prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. [40] But let all things be done decently and in order.
[1] Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also ye received, in which also ye stand, [2] by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast to the word which I preached to you, except ye believed without cause. [3] For I delivered to you among first things what also I received: that Christ died for our :sins according to the scriptures; [4] and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third :day according to the scriptures; [5] and that he was seen of Cephas; then of the twelve; [6] then he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the more part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep; [7] then he was seen of James; then of all the apostles; [8] and last of all, as of the child untimely born, he was seen of me also. [9] For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called apostle, because I persecuted the church of :God. [10] But by God's grace I am what I am: and his :grace :unto me was not found void; but I toiled more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of :God with me. [11] Whether then I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
[12] Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised: [14] and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching void, and our faith also is void. [15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of :God; because we witnessed for :God that he raised the Christ: whom he raised not, if so be that the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised: [17] and if Christ hath not been raised, your :faith is vain; ye are yet in your :sins. [18] Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If1 we have only hoped in Christ in this :life, we are of all men rather pitiable.
[20] But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, firstfruits of those asleep. [21] For since by man is death, by man is also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in :Adam all die, so also in the Christ shall all be made alive. [23] But each in his :own order: Christ a firstfruits; then they that are the Christ's, at his :presence. [24] Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to the God and Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. [25] For he must reign, till he hath put all his :enemies under his :feet. [26] The enemy that shall be abolished last is :death. [27] For, He subjected all things under his :feet. But2 when he saith that All things are subjected, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject :all things to him. [28] And when :all things have been subjected to him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject :all things to him, that :God be all in all.
[29] Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? [30] why are we also in peril every hour? [31] I protest by your glorying, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our :Lord, I die daily. [32] If :after the manner of a man I fought beasts at Ephesus, what1 doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. [33] Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.2 [34] Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak to move you unto shame.
[35] But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what sort of body do they come? [36] Thou foolish one, what thou sowest is not made alive except it die: [37] and what thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare3 grain, it may chance of wheat,4 or of some of the rest; [38] but :God giveth it a body even as he would, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. [39] All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fishes. [40] There are also bodies heavenly, and bodies earthly: but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. [41] One glory of sun, and another glory of moon, and another glory of stars; for star differeth from star in glory. [42] So also the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; raised in incorruption: [43] sown in dishonor; raised in glory: sown in weakness; raised in power: [44] sown a body natural;5 raised a body spiritual. If there is a natural5 body, there is also a spiritual body. [45] So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam a lifegiving spirit. [46] Howbeit not the spiritual is first, but the natural;5 then the spiritual. [47] The first man is of the earth, of dust; the second man is of heaven. [48] As is the earthy,6 such are also the earthy ones: and as is the heavenly such are also the heavenly ones: [49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy,6 let us also bear the image of the heavenly.
[50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God's kingdom; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. [51] Lo, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this :corruptible must put on incorruption, and this :mortal must put on immortality. [54] But when this :mortal shall have put on :immortality, then shall come to pass the saying :written, :Death is swallowed up unto victory. [55] O death, where is thy :victory? O death, where thy :sting? [56] Now the sting of :death is :sin; and the power of :sin is the law: [57] but thanks be to :God, who giveth us the victory through our :Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your :toil is not vain in the Lord.
[1] Now concerning the collection :for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of :Galatia, so also do ye. [2] Upon the first day1 of the week let each of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that when I come no collections be then made. [3] And when I arrive whomsoever ye shall approve with letters, them will I send to carry your :bounty to Jerusalem: [4] and if it be meet for me to go also, they shall go with me.
[5] But I will come unto you, when I shall have passed through Macedonia; for I pass through Macedonia; [6] but it may be that I shall abide with you; or winter, that ye may set me forward on my journey whithersoever I go. [7] For I do not wish to see you now by the way; for I hope to tarry some time with you, if the Lord permit. [8] But I will tarry at Ephesus until :Pentecost; [9] for a great door and effectual is opened to me, and adversaries are many.
[10] Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do: [11] let no one therefore despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come unto me: for I expect him with the brethren.
[12] But as touching Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come unto you with the brethren: and it was not at all his2 will to come now; but he will come when he shall have opportunity.
[13] Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. [14] Let all ye do be in love.
[15] Now I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of :Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister to the saints), [16] that ye also submit to :such, and to every one that helpeth in the work and toileth. [17] And I rejoice at the presence of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for what was lacking on your :part they supplied. [18] For they refreshed my :spirit and :yours: acknowledge ye therefore :such.
[19] The churches of :Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca3 salute you much in the Lord, with the church in their house. [20] All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.
[21] The salutation of me Paul with mine own :hand. [22] If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha.4 [23] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. [24] My :love with you all in Christ Jesus.